Introduction of acetyl-phosphate bypass and increased culture temperatures enhanced growth-coupled poly-hydroxybutyrate production in the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC7002.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is an attractive bio-degradable plastic alternative to petrochemical plastics. Photosynthetic cyanobacteria accumulate biomass by fixing atmospheric CO, making them promising hosts for sustainable PHA production. Conventional PHA production in cyanobacteria requires prolonged cultivation under nutrient limitation to accumulate cellular PHA.

Light-Harvesting Spin Hyperpolarization of Organic Radicals in a Metal-Organic Framework.

Light-driven spin hyperpolarization of organic molecules is a crucial technique for spin-based applications such as quantum information science (QIS) and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). Synthetic chemistry provides the design of spins with atomic precision and enables the scale-up of individual spins to hierarchical structures. The high designability and extended pore structure of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can control interactions between spins and guest molecules.

Repeatome landscapes and cytogenetics of hortensias provide a framework to trace Hydrangea evolution and domestication.

Background And Aims: Ornamental hortensias are bred from a reservoir of over 200 species in the genus Hydrangea s.l. (Hydrangeaceae), and are valued in gardens, households and landscapes across the globe.

Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Transplantation Promotes Bone Healing via Gap Junction-Mediated Cell-Cell Interaction.

Aims: Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) are a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells that have been widely used in experimental therapies for patients with various diseases, including fractures.Activation of angiogenesis is believed to be one of the major modes of action of BM-MNCs; however, the essential mechanism by which BM-MNCs activate angiogenesis remains elusive. This study aimed to demonstrate that BM-MNCs promote bone healing by enhancing angiogenesis through direct cell-to-cell interactions via gap junctions, in addition to a previously reported method.

Identification of glycogen synthase kinase 3alpha/beta as a host factor required for hepatitis B virus transcription using high-throughput screening.

Background Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) leads to severe liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Identification of host factors that regulate HBV replication can provide new therapeutic targets. The discovery of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as an HBV entry receptor has enabled the establishment of hepatic cell lines for analyzing HBV infection and propagation.

The Impact of Aquatic Exercise on Walking Ability, Quality of Life, and Enjoyment in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Aquatic exercise is attracting attention as a method of rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate whether aquatic exercise for children with CP improves their walking ability and quality of life (QOL) and is enjoyable for them.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on 2 August 2024 using three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews.

Chromosome segregation errors during early embryonic development.

Background: Mitosis maintains a genome's genetic information in daughter cells by accurately segregating chromosomes. However, chromosome aberrations are common during early mammalian embryogenesis. Chromosomal abnormalities during the early stages of embryogenesis result in the formation of mosaic embryos, wherein cells with normal genomes coexist with cells exhibiting abnormal genomes.

Possible mechanisms of spermatogenic dysfunction induced by viral infections: Insights from COVID-19.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic nears resolution in 2024, the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections induce spermatogenic dysfunction remain poorly understood. This review examines the mechanisms by which viral infections, particularly COVID-19, disrupt spermatogenesis and highlights the implications for male reproductive health. While reports suggest that spermatogenic dysfunction caused by COVID-19 is mild and transient, these findings may have broader applications in understanding and treating spermatogenic dysfunction caused by future viral infections.

Indications for chemoradiotherapy in older patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer in Japan: a questionnaire survey in the JCOG head and neck cancer study group.

Introduction: Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) with concurrent high-dose cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the standard treatment options for locally advanced head and neck cancer. Since the indications specific to the older population have not been reported, we conducted a multicenter survey on the indications.

Methods: In April and May 2023, a questionnaire survey was emailed to all institutions belonging to the JCOG-HNCSG, consisting of 37 institutions.

Circulating miR-29c, miR-195, and miR-486 Are Objective Indicators to Determine the Moderate Intensity of Resistance Exercise.

Background and objective Moderate exercise is important for health; however, there are variations among individuals in terms of characterizing moderate intensity and it is difficult to identify. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to identify new objective indicators to determine effective exercise intensity. Methods This study involved both human and animal experiments.

Survival Outcomes Associated With Radiological Progressive Disease Subtypes in Patients With Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab-Treated HCC.

Background And Aim: To assess the relationship between survival outcomes and subtypes of radiological progressive disease (PD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev).

Methods: A total of 462 patients with Atezo/Bev-treated HCC diagnosed with radiological PD during follow-up were enrolled. PD was classified into three categories: progression or emergence of intrahepatic lesions (PD-IH), macroscopic vascular invasion (PD-MVI), and extrahepatic spread lesions (PD-EHS).

Insights into balloon pulmonary angioplasty and the WHO functional class of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients: findings from the CTEPH AC registry.

Advances in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) treatment have improved prognosis, shifting focus towards symptom management. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC) in CTEPH patients. The CTEPH AC registry is a prospective, multicenter database from 35 Japanese institutions, analyzing data from August 2018 to July 2023.

IL-1R1 and IL-18 Signals Regulate Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in an Aged Murine Model of Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are age-related diseases characterized by bone marrow (BM) dysfunction and an increased risk of developing acute leukemia. While there is growing evidence highlighting the crucial role of the BM microenvironment (BMME) in MDS, the specific influence of inflammation on BMME changes, as well as the potential benefits of targeting cytokines therapeutically, remain to be elucidated. We previously found interleukin-1 (IL-1) to be a driver of aging phenotypes of BMME and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs).

Benefit Finding and Growth Among Family Caregivers of Individuals With Mental Illness: A Scoping Review.

Benefit finding is a concept that represents finding positive changes or benefits through difficult experiences. To map the currently available studies on benefit finding and growth among family caregivers of individuals with mental illness, we conducted a scoping review based on methodological frameworks. A systematic search for studies published in English was conducted using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL, and PTSDpubs from inception to August 2023.

Self-actualization of families with a cerebrovascular disease patient by nurses, and of self-actualization of nurses themselves: an integrative review based on family care/caring theory.

Background And Purpose: When caring for patients hospitalized with cerebrovascular disease, a caring phenomenon occurs between the patient's family and the nurse, and according to Hohashi's Family Care/Caring Theory, the family and the nurse achieve self-actualization. However, the contents of self-actualization through specific care/caring are unclear. The purpose of this integrative review was to clarify the self-actualization of the nurse as an outcome of family care/caring, and the self-actualization of other individuals (that is, the family) who are supported by nurses.

Engineering of acyl ligase domain in non-ribosomal peptide synthetases to change fatty acid moieties of lipopeptides.

Cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) produced by the genus Bacillus are amphiphiles composed of hydrophilic amino acid and hydrophobic fatty acid moieties and are biosynthesised by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). CLPs are produced as a mixture of homologues with different fatty acid moieties, whose length affects CLP activity. Iturin family lipopeptides are a family of CLPs comprising cyclic heptapeptides and β-amino fatty acids and have antimicrobial activity.

Superovulation treatment of immature female rabbits increases the number of ovulated oocytes that can in vitro develop into blastocytes.

To clarify the efficiency of superovulation in immature female rabbits, immature female rabbits were superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, and the number of recovered oocytes, their maturity, and their ability to develop into blastocysts under in vitro fertilization and culture were examined in this study. More than 80 oocytes were recovered from 12-14-week-old immature female rabbits. In particular, an average of more than 100 oocytes were recovered from 13-week-old immature female rabbits.

Postdoc publications and citations link to academic retention and faculty success.

Postdoctoral training is a career stage often described as a demanding and anxiety-laden time when many promising PhDs see their academic dreams slip away due to circumstances beyond their control. We use a unique dataset of academic publishing and careers to chart the more or less successful postdoctoral paths. We build a measure of academic success on the citation patterns two to five years into a faculty career.

In Vitro Formation of Actin Ring in the Fission Yeast Cell Extracts.

Cytokinesis in animal and fungal cells requires the contraction of actomyosin-based contractile rings formed in the division cortex of the cell during late mitosis. However, the detailed mechanism remains incompletely understood. Here, we aim to develop a novel cell-free system by encapsulating cell extracts obtained from fission yeast cells within lipid vesicles, which subsequently leads to the formation of a contractile ring-like structure inside the vesicles.

Raman and ATR-FTIR unmask crystallinity changes and carboxylate group and vinyl group accumulation in natural weathering polypropylene microplastics.

Naturally weathered polypropylene (NWPP) samples are useful for investigating the effects of various degradation factors that cannot be obtained in artificial laboratory experiments. In this study, NWPP samples were extracted from beach sediments (Ashiya, Hyogo, Japan). Raman and attenuated total reflection (ATR)-Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies were used to analyze variations in the composition, crystallinity, orientation, and degradation of NWPP microplastics.

Relationship between apathy/post-stroke depression and gait training in patients with stroke.

Background: We examined the effect of gait training on apathy/post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients with walking disorders after stroke, and the effect of apathy/PSD on gait reacquisition in subacute stroke.

Methods: Fifty-five participants with gait disorders after stroke underwent gait training for 6 weeks. Outcome measurements included Apathy Scale (AS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Mini-Mental State Examination, Lower Extremity Function of Stroke Impairment Assessment Set, and Functional Independence Measure-TRANSFER and -WALK scores.

Hearing loss occurs prior to thrombocytopenia in both mice and humans with DFNA1.

DFNA1 (deafness, nonsyndromic autosomal dominant 1), initially identified as nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss, has been associated with an additional symptom: macrothrombocytopenia. However, the timing of the onset of hearing loss (HL) and thrombocytopenia has not been investigated, leaving it unclear which occurs earlier. Here, we generated a knock-in (KI) DFNA1 mouse model, diaphanous-related formin 1 (DIA1), in which Aequorea coerulescens green fluorescent protein (AcGFP)-tagged human DIA1(p.

Maleic Acid-Butanol Pretreatment to Enhance Cellulose Accessibility for Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Ethanol Production from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch.

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is crucial yet challenging for sustainable energy production. This study focuses on enhancing enzymatic accessibility of cellulose in oil palm empty fruit bunches by optimizing pretreatment parameters to improve glucose and ethanol yields while reducing fermentation inhibitors. It evaluates the impact of maleic acid concentrations on biorefinery processes.